Housebreaking reward system

Abstract

A housebreaking reward system. The housebreaking reward system includes a moisture sensitive pad, a moisture detector, a reward dispenser, and an optional handheld transmitter. The moisture sensitive pad is constructed to contain and hold fluids (e.g., urine) deposited by an animal and is laid down at location where it is acceptable for an animal to eliminate. The moisture detector is selectively connectable to sensing elements on the moisture sensitive pad to detect when fluid is deposited. If fluid is detected, the moisture sensitive detector signals the reward dispenser to reward the animal for appropriate elimination. At least a portion the moisture sensitive pad is disposable to facilitate easy cleanup of the appropriate elimination area. After one or more fluid deposits, the moisture detector is disconnected from the sensing elements, and the used moisture sensitive pad is discarded.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A housebreaking reward system comprising:
 a disposable pad comprising:
 a fluid holding layer arranged on the top of the disposable pad, the fluid holding layer comprising sorbent media to hold fluid deposited on the disposable pad; 
 sensing elements responsive to contact with the fluid; 
 a wicking layer arranged between the fluid holding layer and the sensing elements, the wicking layer comprising a wicking material arranged to wick fluid from the sensing elements to the fluid holding layer such that the fluid is held in the fluid holding layer and the sensing elements are non-responsive; and 
 a backing layer beneath the wicking layer, the backing layer preventing fluid from transferring to a surface supporting the disposable pad; 
 
 a moisture detector sending a trigger signal when at least one sensing element responds to the fluid deposited on the disposable pad; and 
 a reward dispenser comprising:
 a reservoir for holding a consumable reward; and 
 a dispenser dispensing at least a portion of the consumable reward from the reservoir in response to the trigger signal. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The housebreaking reward system of  claim 1  characterized in that the sensing elements comprise a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor arranged to cover a central area of the disposable pad, the first electrical conductor separated from the second electrical conductor. 
     
     
       3. The housebreaking reward system of  claim 2  characterized in that each of the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor are an electrically conductive ink printed on the backing layer. 
     
     
       4. The housebreaking reward system of  claim 1  characterized in that the sensing elements are applied to one of the wicking layer and the backing layer using one of an electrically conductive ink and an electrically conductive thread. 
     
     
       5. The housebreaking reward system of  claim 1  characterized in that the moisture detector further comprises a delay timer measuring a selected amount of time after the at least one sensing element responds to the fluid deposited on the disposable pad. 
     
     
       6. The housebreaking reward system of  claim 1  characterized in that the moisture detector further comprises a rearming timer measuring a selected amount of time after sending a first trigger signal before sending a second trigger signal. 
     
     
       7. The housebreaking reward system of  claim 1  characterized in that the reward dispenser further comprises a rearming timer measuring a selected amount of time before a second consumable reward may be dispensed after a first consumable reward is dispensed. 
     
     
       8. The housebreaking reward system of  claim 1  characterized in that the reward dispenser further comprises a rearming timer measuring a selected amount of time after receiving a first trigger signal from the moisture detector before responding to a second trigger signal from the moisture detector. 
     
     
       9. The housebreaking reward system of  claim 1  further comprising a handheld transmitter in communication with the reward dispenser, the handheld transmitter generating a trigger signal that is distinguishable from the moisture detector trigger signal. 
     
     
       10. A housebreaking reward system comprising:
 a disposable pad comprising:
 a fluid holding layer comprising sorbent media to hold fluid deposited on the disposable pad; 
 a sensor layer including at least two sensing elements, the at least two sensing elements comprising conductors forming a normally open circuit when dry, and the at least two sensing elements being responsive to contact with the fluid; 
 a wicking layer comprising a wicking material arranged between the fluid holding layer and the sensing elements, the wicking layer being in fluid communication with the fluid holding layer and the sensor layer such that the wicking layer wicks the fluid away from the sensing elements and to the fluid holding layer; and 
 a fluid impermeable layer beneath the fluid holding layer, the fluid impermeable layer preventing fluid from transferring to a surface supporting the disposable pad; 
 
 a moisture detector in electrical communication with the conductors, the moisture detector sending a first trigger signal when an electrolytic fluid deposited on the disposable pad creates an electrical connection between the conductors; 
 a handheld transmitter sending a second trigger signal when a switch is actuated; and 
 a reward dispenser delivering a consumable reward to the animal in response to one of the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal. 
 
     
     
       11. The housebreaking reward system of  claim 10  characterized in that the reward dispenser further comprises an audio transducer producing a positive audible reinforcement in response to the trigger signal. 
     
     
       12. A housebreaking reward system comprising:
 a disposable pad including:
 a fluid holding layer arranged on the top of the disposable pad, the fluid holding layer comprising sorbent media to hold fluid deposited on the disposable pad; 
 sensing elements responsive to contact with the fluid deposited on the disposable pad; and 
 a wicking layer arranged between the fluid holding layer and the sensing elements, the wicking layer comprising a selected wicking material to wick fluid from the sensing elements to the fluid holding layer such that the fluid is held in the fluid holding layer and the wicking layer is substantially dry such that the sensing elements are responsive to a subsequent contact with a subsequent fluid; and 
 
 a moisture detector sending a trigger signal when at least one sensing element responds to the fluid deposited on the disposable pad; and 
 a reward dispenser including:
 a reservoir to hold consumable rewards; and 
 a dispenser to dispense at least a portion of the consumable reward from the reservoir in response to the trigger signal. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The housebreaking reward system of  claim 12  characterized in that the sensing elements comprise a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor arranged to cover a central area of the disposable pad, the first electrical conductor separated from the second electrical conductor. 
     
     
       14. The housebreaking reward system of  claim 13  characterized in that each of the first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor is an electrically conductive ink. 
     
     
       15. The housebreaking reward system of  claim 12  characterized in that the moisture detector further comprises a delay timer measuring a selected amount of time after the at least one sensing element responds to the fluid deposited on the disposable pad. 
     
     
       16. The housebreaking reward system of  claim 12  characterized in that the moisture detector further comprises a rearming timer measuring a selected amount of time after sending a first trigger signal before sending a second trigger signal. 
     
     
       17. The housebreaking reward system of  claim 12  characterized in that the reward dispenser further comprises a rearming timer measuring a selected amount of time before a second consumable reward may be dispensed after a first consumable reward is dispensed. 
     
     
       18. The housebreaking reward system of  claim 12  characterized in that the reward dispenser further comprises a rearming timer measuring a selected amount of time after receiving a first trigger signal from the moisture detector before responding to a second trigger signal from the moisture detector. 
     
     
       19. The housebreaking reward system of  claim 12  characterized in that the selected wicking material and sorbent material are selected based on the time required to move the fluid away from the sensing elements such that the subsequent fluid is detectable.